Welcome dear students! Today we are going to learn about Social Stratification from Class 10 Social_Science. We will cover the following topics in this chapter: Social stratification, differences in people, untouchability as a social evil, and measures to eradicate untouchability. Let us begin by understanding the core concept. Social stratification refers to the practice of classifying people as upper class and lower class on the basis of income, education, caste, colour, gender, occupation, and intelligence. This stratification has been done by the society. For instance, opportunities for good nutritious food, school, and employment are more for children born in rich families. Children in poor families lack such opportunities. Children are not responsible for the segregation of people as rich and poor. But they have to reap the evil effects of stratification created by society. [CHECKPOINT]
Various kinds of social stratification can be seen in different periods and in different countries. For instance, the caste system has been in existence in India from thousands of years. This system determines whether the person belongs to the upper caste or the lower caste. Thus, some people belonging to certain low castes were considered shudras and untouchables, and they were deprived of right to food, employment and even right to life. Governments in India have striven to provide a constitutional remedy for this injustice. Stratification can be seen in all societies. The whites in America treated the blacks as slaves and traded them. Similarly, discrimination is made everywhere between the haves and the haven'ts. I would like you to complete a small activity. Collect information about the projects of the government undertaken to eradicate discrimination in society. [CHECKPOINT]
Now let us move on to the concept of social inequality. The system of social stratification leads to inequality and differences. It humiliates the people classified as the low class. For example, the blacks in America were not permitted to attend the schools of the whites. In India, untouchables were not allowed to take water from public wells or lakes. This brings us to prejudice created due to discrimination. The great Kannada poet, Pampa declared: Truly, the whole mankind is one. This denotes that all human beings are one. In spite of this, people practice various kinds of discrimination based on caste, gender, region, rich and poor, which create many prejudices in the minds of people. Prejudice is the opinion a person forms about another person or community even before he gets to know them. This kind of opinion may be positive or negative. However, prejudices created by discrimination lead to development of feelings like impatience, contempt, disrespect and hatred. As a result, social inequality develops leading to social conflicts. [CHECKPOINT]
Let us now discuss untouchability, which is a social evil. The stratification in India can be seen in the caste system. People in India are spread among innumerable castes. Some castes among these are considered to be high whereas the others are considered to be low. Untouchables had been considered to be at the lowest rung in society in this caste stratification. Untouchability is an inhuman practice of our society. Mahatma Gandhi called it a stigma on the Hindu society. Due to the practice of untouchability, people victimized by it were deprived of social, cultural, religious, educational and political facilities and opportunities. This condition continued for some centuries. However, the situation has changed now. At present, the constitution guarantees the provision of all facilities to people of all classes and castes. People belonging to backward castes and classes are getting special facilities. The practice of untouchability is dying down as a result of the gradual increase in literacy. This is a heartening development, and has helped to promote social harmony. [CHECKPOINT]
Here is an interesting point for you to know. Positive prejudice or bias: Usually we consider our people as good. This feeling helps us to live in harmony. However, if it becomes intense, it can be detrimental. Now, let us examine the measures to eradicate untouchability. Jyotiba Phule, Swami Vivekananda, Doctor B R Ambedkar and others made immense efforts to wipe out the stigma of untouchability. In spite of their attempts, it has not been eradicated completely. Many laws have been brought into force to control it. Section 17 of the Constitution prohibits the practice of untouchability. The Untouchability Offences Act was implemented in 1955. Some lacunae of this Act were rectified and the Act was amended as Citizens Rights Protection Act in 1976. According to this Act, practice of untouchability is a punishable offence. Besides, universal suffrage and right to equality have been guaranteed in the constitution to all citizens of the country. All people belonging to backward castes, especially the scheduled castes, have been provided reservation in educational, political, economic and employment opportunities. The Regulation of 1989 confers special responsibilities to the state governments with regard to eradication of untouchability. In this manner, independent India has been striving to provide equal opportunities to all its citizens by showing great interest in curbing the evil practice of untouchability. [CHECKPOINT]
Let me share some important constitutional provisions you should remember. Sections 15, 16, 17, 38 and 46 of the Constitution stipulate that there should be no discrimination among Indian citizens. Sections 16 (4) and 320 (4) guarantee reservation in the employment sector to scheduled castes and tribes. Sections 330, 332 and 334 guarantee reservation in the political field to scheduled castes and tribes. Section 30 guarantees the right to religious and linguistic minorities to establish their own educational institutions. Section 25 guarantees free entry to all people to social and religious places. Note these sections carefully for your examinations. [CHECKPOINT]
Now, let us proceed to the exercises. I will guide you through each question with complete answers. First, fill in the blanks with suitable words. Question one: Truly the whole mankind is one is declared by Pampa. Question two: Untouchability is a stigma on Hindu Society. This was told by Mahatma Gandhi. Question three: Section 17 of the Constitution declares that practice of untouchability is a punishable offence. [CHECKPOINT]
Next, we will discuss and write the answers for the following questions. Question four: What is meant by social stratification? Answer: Social stratification refers to the practice of classifying people as upper class and lower class on the basis of income, education, caste, colour, gender, occupation, and intelligence. Question five: How has social stratification been created? Answer: Social stratification has been created by society itself. It is not the fault of the children born into different economic backgrounds. Society classifies people based on various factors, leading to unequal distribution of opportunities like nutritious food, education, and employment. This man-made segregation forces individuals to face the evil effects of stratification regardless of their personal responsibility. Question six: What is meant by prejudices? Answer: Prejudice is the opinion a person forms about another person or community even before he gets to know them. This kind of opinion may be positive or negative. However, prejudices created by discrimination lead to development of feelings like impatience, contempt, disrespect and hatred, which ultimately result in social inequality and conflicts. [CHECKPOINT]
Question seven: What are the constitutional and legal measures undertaken to eradicate untouchability? Explain. Answer: Several constitutional and legal measures have been implemented. Section 17 of the Constitution prohibits the practice of untouchability. The Untouchability Offences Act was implemented in 1955, which was later amended as the Citizens Rights Protection Act in 1976 to rectify its lacunae. Under this Act, the practice of untouchability is a punishable offence. Universal suffrage and the right to equality are guaranteed to all citizens. Reservation has been provided to backward castes and scheduled castes in educational, political, economic, and employment sectors. Furthermore, the Regulation of 1989 confers special responsibilities to state governments for the eradication of untouchability. Question eight asks for your suggestions to stop the social evil of untouchability. As this is a discussion-based question, the textbook does not provide a fixed answer. I encourage you to reflect on the importance of education, strict enforcement of laws, and social awareness, and formulate your own suggestions to discuss with your teacher as part of the project activity. [CHECKPOINT]
Moving on to the activity section. Activity one asks you to read the biographies of social reformers who strived to eradicate untouchability. I encourage you to study the lives of Jyotiba Phule, Swami Vivekananda, and Doctor B R Ambedkar to understand their immense contributions. Finally, for the project, write down your suggestions for eradication of untouchability and discuss them with your teacher. This will help you apply the concepts we learned today to real world scenarios. Thank you for listening! Keep revising and practicing. Goodbye! [CHAPTER_COMPLETE]